Definition of Registered Student Organization

Students bring to the university a variety of previously acquired interests and develop many new interests as members of the academic community. Students at UNCW are free to organize and join associations to explore their common interests. Student organizations wishing to be registered with UNCW must form and operate in compliance with university policies. It is through its more than 200 student organizations that the university is able to promote a sense of community and offer students the opportunity to pursue the practice of involvement, leadership and service.

Although critical to the fabric of campus life, student organizations are independent organizations and are not considered to be an extension of the university. Unless the university has specifically requested that a student organization host an event (and by doing so has deemed the organization an agent of the university), the student organization will not be covered by the university’s insurance.

A student organization is defined as a group of five (5) or more currently enrolled University of North Carolina Wilmington students who unite around a common interest. Student organizations may have other non-student members as part of the student organization but these non-student members may not be considered voting members. Unless more specific membership requirements are provided by the appropriate advisory council (appropriate advisory councils are Student Organizations Committee, Sport Club Council, Graduate Student Association, Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the Interfraternity Council), this section outlines university policies pertaining to the formation and operation of student organizations, including actions that may be taken by the university, for noncompliance with these policies. In addition to the policies established in this section, organizations must also adhere to all policies set forth by their respective governing bodies.

Helpful Links

Your donations are greatly appreciated and help us to increase the support for students, faculty, academic programs, research, regional engagement, and global outreach to achieve excellence in all aspects of the UNCW experience.